Birder's Certificate Program

Take your birding skills to the next level! 

The Birder's Certificate Program (BCP), offered annually by Mass Audubon since 2004, is a key component in our ongoing efforts to provide the finest educational programs to the birdwatching community. 

In this 11-module program, you'll learn avian systematics, biology, field identification, physiology, behavior, vocalization, ecology, and conservation. Course goals include:

• Developing an ornithological knowledge base
• Contributing to the conservation of native bird life 
• Empowering birders to contribute to the scientific studies
• Encouraging collaboration between recreational birders and professional ornithologists

The BCP is equivalent to an undergraduate-level ornithology course; students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of achievement. 

Two Birder's Certificate Program options are offered: 

1. Complete Hybrid Program including online lectures and field sessions
2. Fully remote Online Lecture-Only Program

BCP Complete Hybrid Program

Members: $1995

Become a Mass Audubon Member

• 11 Online monthly lectures
• 11 In-person monthly field trips
• Student comprehension will be evaluated through homework assignments and a supported independent study project
• Certificate upon completion, as well as a branded BCP binocular harness

Lectures will be held online using Microsoft Teams. You will receive the Microsoft Teams Link to log into the program in your confirmation. An email reminder will also be sent to you 48 hours before program start.

Field trips associated with each module will be carried out in Essex County on the Sunday morning following each lecture. Please note that dates are subject to change, due to weather and other circumstances.

2025-2026 Schedule

• Systematics & Nomenclature with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture:  August 23, 9:00 am-12:00 pm  
  • Field Trip: August 24, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Evolution & Speciation with Martha Gach
  • Online Lecture: September 13, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Trip: September 14, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Identification with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: October 18, 9:00 am-12:00 pm 
  • Field Trip: October 19, 8:00 am-12:00 pm 
• Bird Conservation with John Herbert
  • Online Lecture: November 15, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Trip: November 16, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Anatomy & Physiology with Flavio Sutti
  • Online Lecture: December 6, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Trip: December 7, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Feeding Ecology with Correne George
  • Online Lecture: January 17, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Trip: January 18: 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Feathers & Flight with Scott Santino
  • Online Lecture: February 21, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Trip: February 22, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Migration with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture: March 21, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Trip: March 22, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Avian Vocalization with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: April 18, 9:00 am-12:00 pm 
  • Field Trip: April 19, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Breeding Behavior with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: May 9, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Trip: May 10, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Ornithology with Lyra Brennan
  • Online Lecture: June 6, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Field Trip: June 7, 8:00 am-12:00 pm

There is currently a waiting list for the 2025-2026 Complete Hybrid Program. Contact us for more information 

BCP Online Program

Members: $800

Become a Mass Audubon Member

• 11 Online monthly lectures
• Student comprehension evaluated through homework assignments
• Certificate upon completion

Lectures will be held online using Microsoft Teams. You will receive the Microsoft Teams Link to log into the program in your confirmation. An email reminder will also be sent to you 48 hours before program start.

2025-2026 Schedule

• Systematics & Nomenclature with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture:  August 23, 9:00 am-12:00 pm  
• Evolution & Speciation with Martha Gach
  • Online Lecture: September 13, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Identification with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: October 18, 9:00 am-12:00 pm 
• Bird Conservation with John Herbert
  • Online Lecture: November 15, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Anatomy & Physiology with Flavio Sutti
  • Online Lecture: December 6, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Feeding Ecology with Correne George
  • Online Lecture: January 17, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Feathers & Flight with Scott Santino
  • Online Lecture: February 21, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Migration with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture: March 21, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Avian Vocalization with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: April 18, 9:00 am-12:00 pm 
• Breeding Behavior with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: May 9, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Ornithology with Lyra Brennan
  • Online Lecture: June 6, 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Register Online